Union Berlin have made history by appointing Marie-Louise Eto as their interim head coach, becoming the first woman to lead a men’s team in Bundesliga history.
The 34-year-old replaces Steffen Baumgart, who was sacked after the 3-1 defeat by Heidenheim. With just five games remaining, Eta have been tasked with securing Union Berlin’s best position as a tense end to the season looms.
“I am delighted that Marie-Louise Eta has agreed to take on the role on an interim basis before becoming head coach of the women’s first team in the summer,” said sporting director Horst Heldt.
“We’ve had a thoroughly disappointing second half of the season so far and we’re not going to let the table fool us. Our situation remains precarious and we’re in desperate need of points to secure our place in the league,” he added.
Heldt also made it clear that the decision to part ways with Baumgart was driven by results and performances, with the club managing just two wins in 14 games since the winter break.
“Two wins from 14 games since the winter break and the performances in recent weeks don’t give us confidence that we can turn things around with the current set-up. That’s why we’ve decided to start again,” he said.
Eta’s appointment is another milestone on her already pioneering journey. She previously became the first assistant coach in the Bundesliga and Europe’s top five leagues in 2023 and also stepped into media duties during Nenad Bjelica’s suspension in 2024.
Despite initially being set to take charge of the Union women’s team next season, the club quickly thrust her into the spotlight during a critical phase. The Union are currently 11th in the table, just seven points above the relegation zone, with St. Pauli.
HOW UNION BERLIN ADAPTED TO HIRING MARIE-LOUISE ETA
Union Berlin’s decision did not come out of nowhere. The club has been struggling for consistency since the start of the second half of the season and the results are not meeting expectations.
The loss to Heidenheim proved to be a turning point. Despite sitting comfortably in mid-table, the club’s hierarchy sensed that performances were going in the wrong direction and decided to make a change before the situation worsened. Can Marie-Louise Eta keep Union Berlin in the Bundesliga. (Reuters)
Having worked closely within the club’s set-up with the men’s under-19 team, Eta was seen as someone who understood the system and could make an immediate impact without needing time to adapt.
With five games remaining and survival still not guaranteed, the move reflects both urgency and conviction. This is a historic opportunity for Eta. For Union Berlin, it’s a gamble at a time when results matter more than ever.
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Issued by:
Debodinna Chakraborty
Published on:
12 Apr 2026 13:24 IST
